Nothing Is Impossible With God

In Luke 1:5-38, God breaks 400 years of silence by making two announcements. Our Old Testament ends with the book of Malachi where God promised to send a messenger (3:1) who would prepare his people for the arrival of God’s promised king on the “great and awesome day of the LORD” (4:5-6). Luke tells us that day has arrived. 
 
In the first announcement, God’s angel, Gabriel, lets Zechariah know that God has answered his and Israel’s prayers, and he will send a prophet to prepare his people for their promised Savior-King (1:5-25). In the second announcement, Gabriel informs Mary that God will send his promised Savior-King to rule over his people. 
 
What is surprising in both cases is that God will send them through surprising, unsuspecting women. The older barren one, Elizabeth, will birth the prophet, John the Baptist. The young teenager, Mary, will birth the promised Savior-King, even though she has never known a man intimately. 
 
By putting these two announcements side by side, Luke wants us to know that while John will be great, Jesus will be greater: 

• John will be great before the Lord (1:15); Jesus will be great (without qualification – 1:32). 
• John is the prophet of the Most High (1:76); Jesus is the Son of the Most High (1:32). 
• John will prepare the way for the King (1:16); Jesus is the promised Savior-King (1:32-33). 

 
To show the greatness of Jesus, God will bring John into the world through a miraculous birth; he will bring Jesus into the world through a miraculous conception. This virginal conception is what we commonly refer to as the virgin birth. 

• The virginal conception shows us the power of God – he is the creator God. 
• The virginal conception shows God’s unique relationship with Jesus – Jesus is the Son of God. 
• The virginal conception shows us the uniqueness of Jesus’s person and work – fully God and man. 
• The virginal conception shows us God’s willingness to identify with us – he is God with us. 

 
The virgin birth is a core doctrine of the Christian faith. It is what allows us to understand the incarnation of God the Son. Jesus is the divine Son of God, the human son of Mary by the Holy Spirit, and Israel’s forever King. 
 
God is no longer silent. He has spoken and has announced his plan in Jesus. All the Old Testament promises will be fulfilled in Jesus. Like Mary, we must be ready to bow down in humility, trust his word, and be ready to do whatever he asks of us.  

NOTE: Go by the book stall in the foyer and pick up a free Luke Scripture Journal. These journals contain the gospel of Luke and offer a page for notetaking. They will be available until we run out.

• The Gospel Coalition 2024 Book Awards 
  • If you’re looking for good books to read in the new year, this is a great list to start with. 
  • Speaking of books, pastor Andrew Wilson has also released his list of top books. 
    • Books of the Year 2024 

 

• Does the Bible Say Anything about Going to Church? 

 

• Missions: RTIM Preview Day, Thursday, December 5, at High Pointe (Austin) 
  • Whether you desire to move overseas as a long-term missionary or are seeking to mobilize your church towards global missions, our Preview Days are a great place to learn more about the convictions Reaching & Teaching and how you can partner with us. We host these regionally at partner churches around the country to provide accessibility to area pastors and church members alike. 
  • For more information or to join us click HERE.  

• Song of the Month: Who Is This So Weak and Helpless?  

Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)

Re:Connecting Around the Gospel | A One-Day Marriage Workshop | Saturday, December 7 | 8:30 AM-12 PM
This workshop is for any married couple to attend together. The workshop will present biblical wisdom then provide time for couples to reflect, process and pray together. Registration for childcare for this event closed on December 2. Click here to register.
 
Women’s Ministry Annual Christmas Brunch | Saturday, December 14 from 10 AM-12 PM
Ladies, please plan to join the women at our annual Christmas brunch! Aimee Barnes will be speaking. Click here to register.
 
Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15-4:30 PM in the Old Choir Room
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.
 
Life Classes
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from August 25 to December 5:

• All English-speaking life classes will begin a three-week class focusing on advent 
• Kids Life Class:  For children K–5th grade  
• Spanish Life Class | Discipulado: Principios y Prácticas
   

Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• December 8 | Luke 1:39-80 | Christmas Praise, Pastor Juan 
• December 15 | Luke 2:1-21 | Christmas Joy, Pastor Juan 
• December 22 | Luke 2:22-52 | What Child is This?, Pastor Juan 
• December 29 | Luke 3:1-20 | What Does Repentance Look Like? 

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: Reaching and Teaching International Ministries – B.M.
Reaching & Teaching International Ministries (RTIM) seeks to advance the gospel by partnering with local churches as they send qualified missionaries to make mature disciples, establish healthy churches, and train local leaders around the world.
 
You may know of RTIM because we sent Davey and Callie Davis and the P family through this sending organization. This month, we want to highlight our support for B.M. B and his wife served for seven years as missionaries in Central Asia, working in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. After returning to the US, B spent six years as a global trainer, traveling around the world to equip international church leaders for ministry. He desires to see the gospel spread and churches established among the nations of Central Asia. B is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife have three children.  
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.